Water stable copper paddlewheel metal organic framework (MOF) compositions and processes using the MOFs

Abstract

This invention relates to a Cu-BTC MOF which is water stable. The Cu-BTC MOF has been modified by substituting some of the BTC ligand (1,3,5, benzene tricarboxylic acid) with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (AIA). The resultant MOF retains at least 40% of its as synthesized surface area after exposure to liquid water at 60° C. for 6 hours. This is an unexpected result versus the MOF containing only the BTC ligand. This MOF can be used to abate contaminants such as ammonia in gas streams and especially air streams.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for purifying a gaseous stream:
 the process comprising contacting the gaseous stream comprising at least one contaminant selected from ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide, hydrazine, arsine, phosgene, phosphine, and boron trifluoride with a metal organic framework material (MOF) which is: 
 a coordination product of a copper metal ion and a mixture of organic ligands selected from 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) and 5-aminoisophthalic acid (AIA) (Cu-BTC-AIA); to at least partially remove the contaminant from the gaseous stream and provide a purified gaseous stream wherein the MOF has an as synthesized Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of at least 1700 m 2 /g and wherein the MOF is further characterized in that it retains at least 40% of its as synthesized surface area after exposure to liquid water at 60 C for 6 hours. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  where the gaseous stream is an air stream and the contaminant is ammonia. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1  where at least 75% of the ammonia in the gaseous stream is removed. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1  where the MOF is deposited as a layer on a support selected from a monolith, spherical support, ceramic foam, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, membranes, pellets, extrudates, irregularly shaped particles, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1  where the support is a woven fabric or nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1  where the MOF is formed into a shaped body selected from pellets, spheres, disks, monolithic body, irregularly shaped particles, extrudates, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 6  where the shaped body is provided in a bed through which the gaseous stream flows through.